| The Kitsap Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution proclaiming Kitsap County's support of the Port of Kingston Commission maintaining ownership of the Kingston Ferry Terminal property and continued lease of the property to the Washington State Department of Transportation. The resolution also spells out the county's opposition to the state's pursuit of the right to purchase the property through condemnation or taking of the property upon which the Kingston Ferry Terminal facilities are located.
"The county supports the desire of the Port of Kingston Commission to maintain ownership of the Kingston Ferry Terminal property to ensure future economic development and protect the community's interest in the property," said Chris Endresen, District #1 commissioner. "We strongly urge the state to negotiate a new lease agreement for the property that will be mutually beneficial to both parties."
The board's resolution also points out that the Port of Kingston Commission has proclaimed in writing their intention to be very flexible with the terms of a new lease and desire to participate in a creative arrangement in respect to the state's interest for development of the site.
"The state needs to do the right thing here by taking condemnation off the table and sitting down to negotiate a new lease without the condemnation looming over the Port Commission's heads," said Endresen. | 